Simple Tomato sauce

[Demented]

2-4 T. Extra virgin olive oil
1 m. Red onion, diced
3 Garlic cloves, minced
2 T. Tomato paste
14 oz. Can Whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
1 C. Wine
½ C. Fresh water
Fresh basil, chopped
Red chili flakes
Smoked paprika
Kosher salt
Fresh ground black pepper

Heat a sauté pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot add the oil wait for the oil to heat before adding the onion.

When the onion has started to brown stir in the tomato paste and garlic, let this cook about 10 minutes, you want to caramelize the sugars in the tomato paste.

Add the wine and deglaze the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula, the brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan are where much of the flavor comes from.

Reduce the wine by about half.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, water and basil. Add salt and pepper, paprika chili flakes to taste.

Bring to a boil then remove from heat and serve.

When serving with pasta;

Cook the pasta a minute short of al dente, drain the pasta and add straight to the sauté pan, cook the last minute in the sauce.

© A. J. Di Liberti 2004